Reducing UV process time on storage media

Abstract

A perfluoropolyether hard disk lubricant having a UV curable functional end group that may be UV cured at a rapid rate with a Xenon excimer lamp. The perfluoropolyether preferably has at least one UV curable functional end group. In one embodiment, the UV curable end group comprises an acrylate.

1. A method of treating a lubricated hard disc, comprising:
 inserting the lubricated hard disc in a chamber, the lubricated hard disc comprising a lubricant comprising a UV curable functional group; 
 irradiating the lubricated hard disc with UV excimer light for a time to create effective saturation of water contact angle; and 
 purging the chamber with a gas to prevent formation of ozone in the chamber, 
 wherein the time to create effective saturation of water contact angle of the lubricant irradiated with UV excimer light is about two orders of magnitude less than a time for effective saturation of water contact angle of a conventional lubricant irradiated with light from a mercury-vapor lamp, the conventional lubricant having a formula:                  
 
 
       wherein q and p are repeat units in the formula. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the UV excimer light has a wavelength of approximately 172 nm. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the time to create effective saturation of water contact angle of the lubricant irradiated with UV excimer light is sufficient for lubrication properties of the lubricant to stabilize such that further dosage does not substantially change the water contact angle of the lubricant. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant comprises a perfluoropolyether having a UV curable functional end group. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant comprises a perfluoropolyether having a UV curable functional end group wherein the UV curable functional end group is selected from a group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl ester and 4 vinylbenzylate. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant comprises a perfluoropolyether having a UV curable functional end group wherein said perfluoropolyether compound has one or more functional end groups in addition to the UV curable functional end group. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein said time for effective saturation of water contact angle of a conventional lubricant irradiated with light from a mercury-vapor lamp is between 60 seconds and 120 seconds. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said time to create effective saturation of water contact angle of the lubricant irradiated with UV excimer light is about 2 seconds.